Cook, David

Explains how various birds live, including the familiar pigeon, starling, and gull as well as the exotic parrot and trumpeter swan, and assesses their chances for survival.

Discusses the characteristics of the world's "big cats:" lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, and jaguars.

Discusses dogs and their place in the order Carnivora, compares them with wolves on many points, and considers their uses today.

Describes the characteristics of the ape family which includes the gibbon, orang-utan, gorilla, and chimpanzee.

Describes the dangers the world's animals must face today, especially at the hands of humans.

Discusses some of the animals of the sea and the dangers they and their environment face.

Looks at plants and animals in eight geographical regions, the tundra, coniferous forests, temperate woodlands, grasslands, deserts, tropical forests, mountains, and inland waters, and shows how they are affected by changes in their environment.